US officials suggest that deal may be near to arm and train Syrian rebels

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama may soon sign off on a project to train and equip moderate Syrian rebels, in an open move that would significantly boost US support to forces who have been asking for three years for military help in their quest to oust President Bashar

Assad, administration officials said Tuesday.

The step, which could be announced as early as Wednesday, would send a limited number of American troops to Jordan to be part of a regional training mission that would instruct carefully vetted members of the Free Syrian Army on tactics, including counterterrorism operations, the officials said. They said Obama has not yet given final approval for the initiative, and that there is still internal discussion about its merits and potential risks. (Associated Press)